Subdivision 1. Rulemaking authority. The
commissioner may prescribe rules governing the use of forest
lands under the authority of the commissioner and state forest
roads, or any parts thereof, by the public and governing the
exercise by holders of leases or permits on forest lands and
state forest roads of all their rights under the leases or
permits.

Subd. 2. Rulemaking exemption. Designations of
forest trails and changes to the designations by the
commissioner shall be by written order published in the State
Register. Designations and changes to designations are not
subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section
14.386 does not apply. Before designating or changing a
designation of forest trails, the commissioner shall hold a
public meeting in the county where the largest portion of the
forest lands are located to provide information to and receive
comment from the public regarding the proposed trail designation
or change in designation. Sixty days before the public meeting,
notice of the proposed forest trail designation or change in
designation shall be published in the legal newspapers that
serve the counties in which the lands are located, in a
statewide Department of Natural Resources news release, and in
the State Register.